Fair Trade Certified Wine: Summer Selections

Summer is in full swing, and that means we can all look forward to a few more months of glorious weather. Nothing sounds better than long, sunny days give that give way to warm evenings--it’s practically an open invitation to open up a special bottle of wine. Now Fair Trade Certified™ choices are turning up at many major retailers. So for all you socially conscious wine drinkers, choose a summer wine of true value.

Reds to Rave About

Get a taste of Argentina’s notorious wine with Fairhills Cabernet Sauvignon, found at Whole Foods Market and Cost Plus. These grapes come from Mendoza-prime wine-making territory and grow for almost 35 years before they’re harvested. With aromas of dark fruit, coffee, and black tea, this wine’s smokey finish pairs well with any kind of pasta dish or grilled meats.

If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try something bold, there’s always the classic Argentinean Malbec. You don’t even have to travel that far to buy it! Neu Direction’s Fair Trade Certified Malbec is now sold at Sam’s Club stores. This medium-bodied wine has moderate tannins and ripe flavors of plum and cherry-there’s even a subtle hint of chocolate! At $10 a bottle, this Malbec is not just sustainable; it’s economical. A wine this rich deserves some hearty meats. Fire up the barbeque, and get ready for some serious grilling!

For something a little less sweet, you can’t go wrong with Live-a-Little Revealing Rosé. This rosé is on the dry side and would go well with an Italian meal. Enjoy with pizza, mild cheeses, and tomato-based seafood pasta.

Now picture this: a crisp, white wine with flavors of lemon, lime, and sweet melon, accompanied by a light summer meal of fresh fish and salad. Sound good? Wandering Grape’s Sauvignon Blanc might be just right for you! Luckily, this vegan-friendly wine isn’t hard to track down. Check out Target for the Sauvignon Blanc and other Wandering Grape varietals. With these Fair Trade sales, health care will be available to the Chilean farming families that harvest the grapes. For $11.99 a bottle, a little certainly goes a long way!

And there’s one more for the Chilean wine fans: Check out Step-by-Step Sauvignon-Blanc. A crisp white with grapefruit and lime aromas, this wine got two thumbs up from the sommeliers at the Tasting Table. Step-by-Step still needs a retail home, but you can always find it online.

So the next time you’re meandering down the wine aisle, try one of these Fair Trade Certified options. Your purchase directly supports farming communities and makes a positive environmental contribution. Now that’s worthy of a toast!